An Introduction
Everyone who uses pesticides must have adequate guidance, instruction or training for their correct use.
Amateur Users
The product label provides appropriate guidance for use of pesticides in the home and garden.
Professional products
Use
Anyone who uses a professional pesticide product in the course of their business or employment may not use that pesticide or give instruction to others on their use unless they have received adequate instruction, training and guidance in their correct use.
In addition users of pesticides must hold a Certificate of Competence if using a pesticide if they :
- were born after 31 December 1964; or
- are providing a commercial service e.g contactors or anyone spraying on land that is not his or his employers.
Anyone who is required to hold a Certificate of Competence can only use pesticides without a Certificate if they are supervised by someone who does hold a certificate.
Obtaining a Certificate of Competence is the best way of demonstrating that you are trained to use specific types of equipment, even if under the legislation you are not required to have one.
Currently, the recognised Certificate of Competence for the use of pesticides are issued by the National Proficiency Tests Council and the Scottish Skills Testing Service.
Sell, supply or store
Anyone who stores pesticides for the purpose of sale or supply in a quantity in excess of (at any one time) 200kg or 200 litres, or a similar mixed quantity, must obtain a Certificate of Competence. If they do not hold a Certificate of Competence, then they may only store pesticides under the direct supervision of someone that does hold a certificate.
In addition, anyone who intends to sell, supply or otherwise market a pesticide for someone to use must have obtained a Certificate of Competence or sell or supply those pesticides under the direct supervision of a person who holds such a certificate.
Currently, the recognised Certificate of Competence for those who store, sell, supply, or otherwise market, a pesticide are issued by BASIS (Registration) Ltd.
Further advice on the certificate of competence that suits your needs can be obtained from:
Duties for employers to provide instruction and training are explained in the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products
Chloropicrin products
The supply of chloropicrin products is restricted to those who can prove that they are competent and have the necessary experience to use them correctly.
The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) provide training and their own certification which is available to both members and non members. Competence can be proved by the possession of the relevant BPCA Certificate.
Link to British Pest Control Association Site
Commodity substances
Commodity substances are chemicals which have a variety of non-pesticidal uses and also have minor uses as pesticides. If such a substance is to be used as a pesticide, it requires approval under Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR), and is granted approval for use only. The approval detailing the conditions which a user must follow when the commodity substance is used as a pesticide can be viewed from the link below.
Further information about Commodity Substances
